Oct
24th
2019
Deep Magick · 8:58pm Oct 24th, 2019
Time To Define Some Things
I've had some new readers to Friends With Benefits and after I saw an article on Tumblr about things one should consider about making a magic system. I did a quick copypasta of that, so that new readers can get a better grip on how Steve works The Magicks! Also, I plan on having a AMA on 10/28 (#CAKEANDCANDY!) so come on down with your queries or posers. And now, Deep Magick…
All You May Need To Know About Terran Imperial Magic and May Have Been Too Afraid To Ask
- What are the drawbacks of using magic? Does it have mental, physical, and/or emotional consequences for the user?
In nearly 90% of all common castings, there are no ill effects from the utilization of magic. There are certain “buffing” spells that can bolster a casters physical attributes (strength, endurance, stamina, agility, dexterity, et al.) but unless some mage pushes themselves to the brink of arcane sickness or magic poisoning, there are very few consequences for casting. - What tools are needed to harness magic? Wands? Spells? Magical artifacts?
One does need proper training to cast successfully, which is why most Imperial Houses have their own training courses for prospective members. As far as other tools/equipment needed, no, there are none. - How do people learn magic? Instinct? In school? From family members?
See above. - Can everyone use magic or are only certain people capable of using it?
Everyone who is a member in good standing of the Arcane Empire of Terra can use magic. In fact, most humans have an affinity for magic to one degree or another, but it does require a certain environment and maturity to use it with any degree of effectiveness. Members Tribe Proletariat cannot cast, though, due to their lack of the alleles necessary for the collection, manipulation, and distribution of mana. - Is the capability to use magic hereditary? What about different ways of using magic (transformation powers, teleportation, etc.)?
Powers like transformation/transfiguration/transmogrification, teleportation, telepathy, and telekinesis are all trainable talents. Hereditary powers are very rare and are typically so elusive and specialized that they occur only once in every seventh to the seventh generations. - What is impossible for magic to do?
Time travel, resurrection, permanent transmogrification into another species or of an individual of the same species, completely subvert the will of an organic target, permanently disrupt the senses of an organic target, create something from nothing, dispel stupidity (which includes making sense of anything Milo Yanopulous, Ben Shapiro, Jesse Lee Peterson or Donald Trump happen to say.) - How long does it take to master different magical skills?
An entire lifetime. Imperial mages spend the bulk of their life learning and mastering new arcane skills. - Can creatures other than humans learn magic? Are different creatures better at using different kinds of magic?
Many of the Sophants of Terra Firmé have deep connections to the arcane energies of the planet and are thus Arcane Affirmative (magic users.) Many other sentients are also capable of magic casting/use but only do so out of instinct or so it is believed. - Does it require spells to be spoken, written, or thought?
Either or. Certain incantations must be spoken but not all incantations need to do so. Certain glamors require that their runes to inked/burned/sewn into a medium to properly function but that is not necessarily true of all glamors. The majority of spells can be either spoken/chanted or thought of. - Is it possible for someone to lose their magical abilities?
Yes, but to do so is death sentence. Terran Imperials are so closely imbued with magic that having it Dismissed (complete removal of all magic prowess) would kill them in a manner of hours. It is considered an obscure, long, and brutal form of execution. - How do the characters' emotions affect their ability to use magic? Do their emotions affect the magic’s intensity or controllability?
If for combat magic, the angrier the caster is, the more powerful but less accurate a spell will be. Contrariwise, a focused, calm mind can cast an offensive spell with greater degree of accuracy and higher degrees of potency. States of emotional duress can also affect healing or soothing charms, but it depends on the nature of the casters skills. Those of House Apollo or House Caduceus gain greater skill to heal the more emotional duress they feel. Those of House Genial can only really bring healing to their patients/clients when they are in a calm, emotionally centered state. - How does the strength of a person’s magical abilities change as they age?
Not always, but in certain professions, it can. (Just don’t tell The Grand Archmage that!) - Can people normally perform any kind of magic or can they only perform things that fall under their specialty? Are their exceptions?
Most houses train for specializations but any mage can train or learn a set of arcane skills outside their houses specialization. It might be harder for them to do so, but not completely impossible. - What rules restrict magic use in society?
Most regulations concerning the use of arcane skills are common sense/instinct for survival based. In as much as you don’t threaten the human species on the whole or are planning to make extinct any other Sophant on the planet/within the galaxy, then all is good. Also, see Impossible Magic. - How do people’s magical abilities impact their career prospects?
Their Affinities and Inclinations can greatly determine what professions said mages may be suited for, but ultimately, it is the choice of the mage as to where they end up. An individual with high abilities in Stamina and Strength charms, affinity for Fire and an inclination for thermonuclear plasma, may be best suited for combat as a member of House Praetorian, but if they wish to join the Imperial faction of therapists, councilors, psychiatrists, and prostitutes, i.e.: House Genial, then they may do so without any repercussions. The final choice is that of the mage, not of their skills. - What kinds of magic are the most feared or seen as the most powerful? Which are seen as mere jokes?
Necromancy, Psionics, and Lightning. The current Grand Archmage is an Elite Master of all three! - How do people use magic to help with everyday tasks?
There are certain schools of the arcane that can teach a body such spells, charms, incantations, and glamors. Anyone can learn them but they do require more study than any spellcraft one may have an inclination or affinity for. - Can magical energy be stored for later use?
No. Once it’s properly cast, mana drawn to the caster is dispersed/dispensed with to generate the desired effect. Thankfully, mana can just as easily be drawn upon again (mana regeneration,) as long as sources are available. - What objects or other factors can amplify someone’s magical powers?
None really. It depends on the person’s genetic disposition and whether they carry the alleles for mana collection-manipulation-distribution in sufficient quantities. - When do magical abilities initially manifest? From birth? At a certain age? Under certain conditions?
There are some individual mages that can manifest arcane prowess from birth but for most, it requires a period of maturation, both physical and mental, to really begin any kind of casting. This typically starts at about six annals of age. - What is the first spell a character is likely to learn?
The spell most directly aligned with a mage’s inclination, i.e.: a lightning mage will start causing static discharges even when they haven’t come close to coming in contact with thick carpets or other static inducing materials. A fire mage may start producing a field of excess warmth within their immediate vicinity without any known source. Water mages have a long association with generating condensation in enclosed areas during the height of summer heat. - What happens if a spell is performed incorrectly? Nothing at all? A weaker version of the intended results? Pain?
Some will experience pain if they incorrectly engage in a casting but for the most part, a mage will cast a largely ineffectual or weak spell when they commit an improper casting. - Can different spell casting methods be used to obtain the same result? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
Actually, yes! There are methods available for those delving into the deep magicks that can prove beneficial to their line of work or their specific skill sets. Most mages speak as they cast, but if a mage were to, say, commence a divination silently, or as an internal, mental chant, then said caster could gain advantage on an opponent expecting some other form of attack. Also, when it comes to offense magic favored by battle, combat, and war mages, coupling physical strikes with magic casting can amplify those strikes with various elemental or kinetic effects, thus doing more damage or inflicting status affects upon a target. In some cases, a casting coupled to a say, a punch, would make that cast offensive spell so much more powerful and add additional kinetic energy to the strike itself. Certain household charms and spells can be greatly aided by physical motion/exertion as well. House Genial has mastered that art as part of their craft and flaunt it at every chance they get… though no one will complain about the results.
During the AMA, I may add onto this list, but these were the most pertinent to the story thus far.
Well, that's all for now. Until the next chapter, I am The Wolf Who Writes Prose.
Lupi sumus, faciemus manseris!
In other words, it'd be impossible for, say, Ben Shapiro to use magic to exterminate all Muslims.
(Then again, he'd likely be a member of Tribe Proletariat, and thus unable to cast anyway.)
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Yes, yes, and OH MY! (Though not entirely untrue.)
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You can also add "Prager U" to that list of stupidity that's impossible for magic to dispel.
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Yea, verily. Dennis Prager's bullshit is about as clear as Garden State mud. Also, good use of a Humanist Report video. Mike is a progressive badass.